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India is expected to see 2.1 million new cancer cases by 2040, a huge jump from the 2020 numbers, Globocan reports. Among all cases of cancer, cancer of the oral cavity is the most common. India also has the highest number of oral cavity cancer patients in the world. One of the main reasons behind this is tobacco consumption. Did you know that head and neck cancer can account for approximately 26% of all cancer cases in men and 8% in women? As April is observed as Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, Dr AK Dewan, Director of Surgical Oncology at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Center (RGCIRC), Delhi, aims to raise awareness about prevention, early detection and treatment. Emphasize the importance of spreading. HNC.
About 80-90% of oral cancer patients have been found to consume tobacco in some form or the other, be it smoking or chewing. The lifestyle in some parts of the country, especially the northern regions, contributes greatly to this problem. People in this region mostly smoke or chew tobacco, which is a major cause of head and neck cancer.
hnc cancer types
HNC includes mouth/oral cancer, throat cancer, nose and paranasal sinus cancer, thyroid and parathyroid gland cancer, skull base tumors, salivary gland cancer, and cancer affecting the lymph nodes in the neck.
Symptoms in HNC
HNC can manifest through a variety of symptoms, including persistent mouth or throat sores, bleeding, sore jaw, lump in the face or mouth, loose teeth, pain or numbness in the face, difficulty swallowing or chewing, voice changes, ear ringing. Problems, including difficulty breathing. White or red spots in the mouth, unexplained weight loss and swelling in the neck. These symptoms vary depending on the specific location and stage of the cancer.
Unlike other cancers, whose causes are unknown, most head and neck cancers are preventable. It is a preventable cancer which can be prevented by improving lifestyle.
About 30% of the patients come in the early stage while 60% of the patients come in the locally advanced stage while 10-15% of the patients come in the metastatic stage. If treated with a combined approach, about 50-60% of patients can be cured.
To improve the survival rate, there is a need to increase awareness about abstinence from tobacco and prompt checkup from dental or ENT surgeons for early diagnosis of the disease.
Advances in the treatment of HNC
A combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy may be used depending on the specific case. Head and neck cancer treatment has evolved to prioritize not only curing the disease but also ensuring a good quality of life for survivors. Many patients experience rehabilitation challenges after treatment, such as cosmetic concerns, difficulty swallowing, and speech problems.
Surgical advances offer hope to patients with robotic surgery, larynx preservation, affordable reconstruction, voice-saving options, and facial rejuvenation.
Immunotherapy for head and neck cancer is being used alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Proton therapy and CyberKnife are specifically designed to target difficult to reach areas with fewer side effects. These treatments use advanced technology to deliver radiation therapy with amazing precision and accuracy.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also being used to further improve radiotherapy. AI can help improve the accuracy, efficiency, and overall quality of treatments, ensuring patients receive the best care.
How to stop it?
Get yourself checked annually by a dental surgeon or oncologist
Notify the surgeon if you have any warning signs of head and neck cancer, insisting on further investigation if symptoms persist for more than 3 weeks.
Primary prevention means “do not use tobacco, smoke or smoke; do not consume alcohol and maintain good oral hygiene.
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